Rangers' Darvish victim of Red Sox's double standard

BOSTON – Limiting the number of walks was the stated goal from Yu Darvish going into his start Monday night against the Red Sox. Setting a record for most doubles allowed by a pitcher in franchise history wasn’t.

But the Red Sox roped balls down the line, in the gaps and off the Green Monster against Darvish en route to a 9-2 victory at Fenway Park.

Darvish gave up seven doubles on the night – all to the first four batters in the Red Sox's batting order. Dustin Pedroia doubled in the first inning, and that was the only one that didn’t produce an RBI or run.

Jacoby Ellsbury led off the third with a double and scored on a two-bagger by Carl Crawford. Two batters later, Crawford scored on a double by Adrian Gonzalez as Boston grabbed a 2-1 lead.

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In the fourth, the Rangers blew a chance to even the game. Cruz led off with a double, but was then picked off at second. The Red Sox, on the other hand, added three more runs in the bottom half.

Ellsbury and Pedroia ripped RBI doubles to left, and Crawford had a sacrifice fly.

The Red Sox scored another run in the seventh. Pedroia doubled to left and scored on a single by Gonzalez.

Darvish exited the game after 6 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on a season-high 11 hits with four walks and nine strikeouts. He’s allowed six or more runs in four of his last five starts, and has walked at least three batters in six straight starts.

Boston cushioned its lead with three runs in the eighth, all charged to Texas reliever Michael Kirkman. The Rangers scored a run in the top of the ninth on a solo shot by Adrian Beltre.